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H.R. 759 FDA Globalization Act
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Summary
H.R. 759 seeks to amend the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act to improve the safety of food drugs devices and cosmetics in the global market and for other purposes. Enactment of H.R. 759 will set forth provisions governing food safety for each food facility requiring hazard analysis of facilities that manufacture, process, pack, transport or hold food; identification and implementation of preventative controls; and a written food safety plan.
AVMA Position: Nonsupport
Justification:
The AVMA supports the overall concept of enhancing global food safety through science-based performance standards yet has concerns regarding the implementation of Health and Human Services oversight. Currently, USDA FSIS inspections and regulatory programs have appropriate expertise and experience as well as oversight authority to ensure food safety standards for meat, poultry, and egg products. H.R. 759 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services with duplicative tasks such as the identification of appropriate industry and regulatory approaches to minimize food safety hazards, a function similar to the current HACCP based inspection programs regulated through the USDA.
H.R. 759 also proposes an accreditation system for food facilities and certification of laboratories to conduct sampling and testing of food. The AVMA believes that implementing an accreditation system for the laboratories would provide for a more rigorous process in sampling and testing food with the inclusion of third party approvals. Certification would only confirm that the laboratory process is truly based on documentary evidence but would not require a third party to grant recognition or credit.
The AVMA believes that the required Country of Origin Labeling for all ingredients in processed foods in unrealistic, and that warning labels on meat, poultry, or seafood treated with carbon monoxide should not be required given that FDA and USDA have approved this as a safe procedure.
In accordance with the AVMA Food Safety Policy, the AVMA supports a coordinated, integrated, unified food safety regulatory program and believes that a science based process will enhance overall global food safety.
AVMA Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton, Assistant Director, AVMA Governmental Relations at 202-289-3210 or ashelton@avma.org.
AS 07/22/09
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
